From The Ashes - 023

Chapter 023 – Worthy

[2012]

Feeling the blue flames pushing back against his Odinforce with unexpected ferocity, the flaming avian's innate strength almost breaking through the binding force, the Allfather was already shocked by the half-mortal's strength after his transformation.

Nevertheless, he wasn't the King of Asgard for nothing.

And just a moment later, he summoned enough strength from this realm to crush a small star, pulling the mythical fire creature before him back to the ground, its wings and tailfeathers shackled by the overwhelming Odinforce that he had poured forth.

Invisible chains also wrapped around the graceful blazing neck of the half-mortal, slowly forcing his head to the ground.

This though didn't happen without a struggle as the half-mortal, fuelled by apocalyptic wrath, spat out torrents of raging flames that laid waste to the gigantic structure of the throne room, molten stone and gold appearing all around the Allfather and his adversary.

'Soul of Will' erupted from the flaming form in waves that pulverized the ground beneath it and shattered the ceiling above.

Raising Gugnir, Odin borrowed the strength of his divine armament to suppress the destruction caused to the palace by this confrontation while constantly expanding vast amounts of Odinforce to try and keep his hold on the Noah.

Though facing the incomparably murderous glare in the blazing eyes of the avian, a chill suddenly traveled down his back just as he was about to succeed in completely pressing down Noah's flaming form, a premonition of something terrifying shaking him to his core.

“CYYAAA!!!”

The next moment, a cry of incomparable rage escaped the fiery beak of the phoenix that shook the atmosphere, a tremble going through the palace.

Though this was just the appetizer as suddenly the pressure and shackles formed by his Odinforce were ripped apart with the utmost violence as a wave of pure conquering intent rippled out in a destructive shockwave.

*BOOOOOOMMMM*

The world seemed to darken for a moment as destruction spread through the large hall, cracks racing through the black marble and climbing up the golden pillars.

A monument that had stood tall for hundreds and thousands of years was suddenly on the verge of collapse as it could not endure the vast pressure of the blazing phoenix's will.

Odin himself could barely maintain his position by summoning his Odinforce and splitting the wave of domineering intent with his spear, his single eye finally showing emotions, a trace of horror flickering in its depths for just a moment.

“CYAAA!”

Once again the flaming avian called out while it spread its wings and hovered before the throne, a storm of blue fire brewing in the depths of its throat as its murderous eyes fell on the Allfather.

"A will unbreakable, a spirit that conquers, the soul of a king.", Odin uttered as he faced the gigantic phoenix, a fearless spirit reemerging in his eye and figure even though the dominating pressure on his mind didn't let up the slightest bit, "You're worthy indeed."

He was half-expecting to be doused in raging flames as he stood unmoving before the huge avian, a few tense moments passing as the conquering intent grew strong and stronger.

In the next instant though, the pressuring intent vanished as the blazing blue flames retracted and disperse, reforming into the figure of a dark-haired man that had flaming wings for arms.

And with a single powerful flap of those wings and the man descended like a fiery shadow.

*BAAMM* *CRACK*

Noah landed on the steps just below the throne, his feet shattering the cracked golden steps even further while he looked up at the Allfather with dark stormy eyes, a coat of fire still surrounding his figure.

He breathed heavily, his exhaustion clearly visible to the naked eye, but the aura he exuded was simply breathtaking, his will a palpable force that seemed sharp enough to break the sky itself.

“Welcome to Asgard, Noah Hatahle.”, Odin calmly declared as he looked into the unforgiving eyes of the half-mortal.

The Allfather didn't know if Noah was going to attack him, which he had the right to if he were to be honest, but once again the half-mortal surprised him as he just snorted in annoyance and dissatisfaction before turning around and leaving the ruined hall.

Watching him leave with an unreadable look in his eyes, Odin raised his spear and once again struck the ground with the dull end as he borrowed the strength of the land to restore the broken hall and wake up the hundreds of guards, maids, and attendants in the palace that had not been able to withstand the half-mortal's conquering intent.

…

Barely able to keep herself upright and in a kneeling position by supporting herself against the golden pillar, Sif's heart quivered fiercely as she looked at the devasted throne room, the Warrior Three having collapsed just beside her.

There was no physical pain but she felt as if a force with the weight of a mountain had crashed into her mind and tried to shatter her will, forcing her to submit or be destroyed.

The four of them had rushed into the throne room when they had picked up on the commotion but what she had witnessed afterwards was simply icomprehensible to her.

Her eyes trembled as she looked at the dark-haired stranger from afar while he stared up at the Allfather in defiance and warning, blue fire dancing around his figure.

Sif was in disbelief as she recalled the scene of the blazing phoenix defying the Allfather and escaping his restrictions just moments before, something that she had thought impossible.

At this point, none of the Einherjar that were present in the hall had managed to stay conscious under the force of the stranger's will. Odin, herself, and Thor were the only ones that managed to withstand the expression of pure dominating intent, though even the Prince didn't fare any better than her.

'A will unbreakable, a spirit that conquers, the soul of a king.'

The Allfather's words echoed in her ears as she watched the dark-haired stranger turn away from her king, her heartbeat quickening and her mind in turmoil.

She had always thought highly of Thor's bravery, his strength and confidence an irresistible charm for a warrioress like her. She didn't think that there was a stronger warrior in any of the Nine Realms than the oldest Prince.

But in her heart, she knew that in front of the Allfather, Thor was powerless, his banishment to Earth a year ago proving as much.

As such, seeing someone actually and successfully defying the Allfather, turned her world upside down.

“Welcome to Asgard, Noah Hatahle.”, the Allfather declared loudly, his respect and admiration for the dark-haired man obvious for all to see.

'Noah.', Sif repeated in the confines of her mind, a strange sensation making her heart flutter, as her eyes inadvertently followed the tall and dark-haired figure, 'What a beautiful name … '

[A/N: I was delayed with other stuff so I didn't manage to edit the chapter for 'The Wanderer', it is ready though and I will upload it the first thing tomorrow morning after getting the editing done.]